Plumbing tools



1969 J. RESCIGNO 3,458,183

PLUMBING TOOLS Filed March 2, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet l July 29, 1969 J. RESCIGNO 3,458,183

PLUMBING TOOLS Filed March 2, 1967 2 Sheets-$11651; 2

United States Patent 3,458,183 PLUMBING TOOLS Joseph Rescigno, 114-415 229th St., Cambria Heights, N.Y. 11411 Filed Mar. 2, 1967, Ser. No. 625,899 Int. Cl. B231; 3/14; 1323p 19/04; B2511 13/50 U.S. 'Cl. 269-481 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to the installation of sink drains or baskets by the use of a pair of tools, one of which engages the drain within the basin of the sink for holding the same immobile, while a second tool positioned beneath the sink applies a threaded retaining member thereupon, thereby permitting the drain to be installed by a plumber without the assistance of a helper. The second mentioned tool is provided with an adapter, for engaging a retaining nut which holds a drain tube in communication with the bottom of the sink drain.

This invention relates generally to the field of plumbing, and more particularly to an improved set of plumbing tools particularly adapted for use in conjunction with the installation of sink drains or baskets of the type cooperating with the strainer type plugs which may be selectively positioned therein to either close the drain or strain waste water flowing therethrough.

The installation of sink drains of this type, which are principally used in kitchen and laundry sinks, requires the fitting of a washer on the upper surface of the sink bottom, applying putty, inserting the drain or basket into the opening from the top of the sink, and the threading of a retaining member from the bottom of the sink to hold the drain in water-tight relation against the border edges of the sink opening. The retaining member normally has a diameter of several inches, and is provided with tool engaging lugs to facilitate engagement, which in the past has been engaged by a normal pipe wrench. Since sinks using drain devices of this type are normally of relatively large size, it is impossible for the plumber to hold the basket against rotation and simultaneously thread the retaining member from the bottom of the sink, and the two functions have normally been simultaneously accomplished with the assistance of a plumbers helper.

It is among the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved set of tools whereby drain devices of the above described type may be installed by a single worker.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved set of plumbing tools, one of which is capable of engaging the sink drain or basket from within the sink in such manner as to prevent relative rotation between it and the sink during the threaded engagement of the retaining member thereon as applied from beneath the sink.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved set of plumbing tools of the class described which will engage a sink drain or basket without damage thereto during installation.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved plumbers tool of the class described which, with the use of adapters may also be employed for the engagement of a drain pipe with the lower portion of a drain device or basket.

Still another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved plumbing tool of the class described, in which the cost of fabrication may be of a relatively low order, thereby permitting consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

3,458,183 Patented July 29, 1969 ice A feature of the invention lies in the superior engagement of the threaded retained member, and the ability to use additional leverage thereupon.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the progress of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary sectional view, partly in elevation, showing an embodiment of the invention in use in the installation of a conventional drain or basket in an opening in a lower wall of a sink.

FIGURE 2 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment as seen from the plane 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary plan view as seen from the plane 3-3 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view corresponding to the lower central portion of FIGURE 1, and showing the engagement of one of the tools comprising the embodiment with a sink drain.

FIGURE 5 is a view in perspective 'of one form of threaded retaining device with which the disclosed embodiment may be used.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary view in elevation showing the installation of a drain pipe upon a previously installed sink drain.

FIGURE 7 is a bottom plan view as seen from the plane 7-7 in FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is an exploded view in elevation showing a pair of inserts employed in the installation of a drain pipe upon an installed basket.

FIGURE 9 is an exploded view in elevation showing the installation of a drain pipe upon a sink basket.

FIGURE 10 is a bottom plan view corresponding to that seen in FIGURE 7, but showing an alternate form of basket.

In accordance with the invention, there is illustrated in FIGURE 1 a conventional kitchen or laundry sink, generally indicated by reference character 15, the same including a plurality of side walls, one of which is indicated by reference character 16, and a drain opening 17 in a bottom wall 17a. A drain element or basket 18 is positioned within the opening 17, and, as presently manufactured, normally includes an upper flange 19, a cylindrical wall 20, a conical wall 21, and a perforated bottom wall 22. To conveniently install the same, the present invention contemplates the provision of a first or upper tool element 23 and a second or lower tool element 24.

Referring to FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, the first or upper tool element 23 includes a hollow cylindrical body 26 bounded by outer surface 27, and inner surface 28, a first or upper edge surface 29 and a second or lower castellated edge surface 30 forming a plurality of rectangularly shaped notches 31.

Radially positioned with respect to the principal axis of the body 26 are a plurality of threaded openings 32 each engaging a wing nut member 33. The nut members 33 are similar, each including a threaded shank 34, a finger-engaging member 35, and an outwardly extending head 36, the exposed surfaces 37 of which are adapted to contact the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 20, as best seen in FIGURE 3.

Adjacent the upper edge surface 27, in the area indicated by reference character 38 are a pair of rectangularly shaped through and aligned openings 39 which receive an elongated lever member 40, a first end 41 of which is provided with a rubber tip 42 adapted to engage the inner surface of the side wall 16, as best seen in FIGURES 1 and 3. To maintain a given adjustment, set screw means 43 engages a threaded opening 44 therefor, the inner end of which bears against a planar longitudinal surface of the lever member 40.

The second or lower tool element 24 includes first and second pivotally interconnected members 47 and 48, respectively, joined by links 49 and pins 50 at one end thereof. An adjustable clamp '1 provides for mutual interconnection of oppositely disposed ends.

The first and second members 4748 are substantially similar and symmetrical, each including a semicircular member 52 extending over an arc of approximately 180 degrees, from a first end 53 to a second end 54. A first radially extending handle 55 extends in a first direction outwardly therefrom, while a second radially extending handle 56 extends from the end 54 in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto.

The inner surface 57 of the member 52 is provided with a plurality of toothed segments 58 joined by notched recesses 59.

Referring to FIGURE 8 in the drawings, a pair of corersponding arcuately shaped inserts are selectively engageable with the corresponding members 47 and 48, each including an outer surface 61 having projections 62 engageable in the notched recesses 59 thereof. Inner surfaces 63 are toothed to allow purchase upon a threaded nut of relatively small diameter.

Referring to the right hand portions of FIGURES 1 and 2, the adjustable clamp 51 includes a U-shaped frame 64 interconnected by pins 65 to an end 66 of the member 56 for pivotal movement with relation thereto. A looped end 67 is threadedly engaged by a set screw 68 adapted to bear upon the outer surface of the member 47, whereby the tool element 24 is maintained in closed position.

During use, an individual basket 18 is installed in conventional manner, a seal ring 70 which is puttied is first positioned at the sink opening, and the basket inserted from the top through said opening. Next, the upper tool element 23 is engaged as shown in FIGURES 1, 3 and 4, the notches 31 engaging the cruciform portion 72 (FIGURE 7) of the basket, following which the wing nut members 33 are rotated to bring the surfaces 37 thereof in contact with the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 20, thereby immobilizing the basket with respect to the tool element 23.

In the case where the basket contains three openings, as defined by a Y-shaped portion 72 (FIGURE 16), the engagement therewith by the notches 31 may be impossible, in which case the engagement is maintained entirely by the wing nut members 33.

Next, the lever member 40 is adjusted within the openings 39 in such manner that the rubber tip 42 may bear against the inner surface of the wall 16, and the set screw 43 is tightened to maintain this adjustment. At this point, the basket cannot be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction as seen in FIGURE 3, the direction which rotation would normally take upon the threading of the retaining member thereupon from below.

Next, the retaining member 73 (see FIGURE 2) is threadedly engaged upon the thread 73a and manually started in normal manner until resistance is encountered. At this point, the lower tool element 24 is then positioned about the member 73, and the clamp 51 tightened, so that the tool will not become disengaged from the ring, following which using the handles 55 and 56 the member 73 may be tightened to the necessary degree to effect a complete seal. At this point, the tool element 24 is opened 4 and disconnected and the inserts 60 are positioned as shown in FIGURE 7.

Referring to FIGURE 9 in the drawings the lower threaded end 76 of the basket 18 is connected to a vertically oriented drain pipe 77 having an upwardly disposed flanged end 78, by means of a washer 79 and threaded collar 80. Using conventional tools, difiiculty has been encountered in properly positioning the washer, supporting the pipe 77 in position, and simultaneously engaging the collar 80 upon the threaded member 76. It will be observed that owing to the presence of the flaired end '78, the washer 79 cannot be positioned within the collar 80, which facilitate its location.

In accordance with the present invention, this problem is solved by engaging the washer 79 upon the lower end of the body 26 which projects through the opening in the basket 18. Being of resilient material, the washer may be stretched slightly to accomplish this purpose. The lower end of the body 26 also serves as a guide for aligning the flaired end 78 as well, using only a single hand, following which the threaded collar 80 may be started upon the threaded member 76. At this point, the tool element 24 including the now engaged inserts 60 may be engaged about the collar 80 and subsequent tightening may be accomplished with the same ease as above described. When this operation has been completed, the tool element 24 is again opened and removed, and the upper tool element 23 may be disconnected as well.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:

1. A tool element for use in installing a sink drain basket comprising: an elongated tubular member having a principal longitudinal axis and first and second ends, first means adjacent one of said ends for engaging interstices in the lower portion of said basket to prevent relative rotatioin therebetween, second means including a plurality of wing studs threadedly engaging said tubular member at points between said first and second ends, said wing studs being radially extendable to engage an inner cylindrical surface of said basket; there being a pair of aligned slotted openings extending through the other of said ends of said tubular member, the axis of alignment lying substantially perpendicular to the axis of said tubular member, and an elongated lever axially adjustably fixed within said openings, and having at least one free end adapted to contact an inner vertical surface of a sink.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,492,466 4/ 1924 Jarmolowsky 26952 X 2,497,633 2/ 1950 Shapiro 8172 2,611,949 9/1952 Wanamaker 269-47 2,956,461 10/1960 Anderson 8171 3,094,022 6/ 1963 Young.

ROBERT C. RIORDON Primary Examiner I O. PETERS, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

